By Derick Elkin, Erika’s Lighthouse Empowerment Club coordinator  

Key takeaways 

  • Service through awareness: The Positivity Pledge is a turnkey service project that helps Key Club members improve the emotional well-being of their entire school. 
  • 31 days of action: Members can lead daily positive actions, from gratitude lists to mindfulness breaks, to create a “Beacon of Hope” in their buildings. 
  • Official partnership: Erika’s Lighthouse is an official partner of Key Club, providing all campaign materials and the 31-day calendar at zero cost. 

Mental health awareness as a service project 

For Key Club members, service is about meeting the most pressing needs of the community. Today, with 50% of mental illness occurring before age 14, the need for mental health awareness in our schools has never been greater. 

Leading the Positivity Pledge this May is more than just a campaign; it is a service project that provides your peers with the vocabulary and tools they need to care for their mental health. By fostering an inclusive school culture, you are serving your community by ensuring no student feels alone. 

How the Pledge works 

The Positivity Pledge is a 31-day commitment to establishing good habits for positive mental health. Erika’s Lighthouse provides a digital calendar filled with daily prompts that your club can share schoolwide. 

Weekly themes include: 

  • Nutrition. Learn about the connection between mental health and nutrition before putting it into practice.  
  • Gratitude. Practice gratitude to focus on the positives and what you already have. 
  • Exercise. Build some habits for a healthy body, which helps a healthy mind. 
  • Mindfulness. Deepen your attention to how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking. 
  • Reflection. Look back on some of the habits you learned during the Positivity Pledge and see which ones you want to take with you year-round. 

Lead the movement in your school 

As student leaders, you have the power to move mental health “upstream” by focusing on prevention and education. Here’s how your Key Club can get started: 

  1. Register for the Pledge. Visit positivitypledge.erikaslighthouse.org to sign up. You will receive the official 31-day calendar and updates to guide your club’s efforts. 
  2. Spread the word. Use the posters and social media templates provided by Erika’s Lighthouse to build excitement before May 1. 
  3. Drive engagement. Make morning announcements or offer club-led “Awareness into Action” activities to make the pledge a visible part of your school day. 

FAQs 

Is Erika’s Lighthouse an official partner of Key Club?  

Yes! Erika’s Lighthouse is a trusted partner of Key Club International. Our programs are designed to align with Key Club’s mission of leadership and service, making it easy for members to host impactful mental health projects. 

How much does it cost for a Key Club to participate?  

Participation is free of charge. Erika’s Lighthouse provides all curriculum, campaign guides and digital resources at no cost to ensure every student and club has access to high-quality mental health tools. 

What is the goal of the 31-day calendar?  

To help students establish daily habits that support positive mental health. By practicing activities like gratitude, exercise and mindfulness for a full month, students develop the “mental muscle” to handle life’s challenges more effectively.